Washington’s first carbon auction sold pollution for $300 million
In its first year of implementation, under the Climate Commitment Act, passed in 2021, businesses convene through an online platform and propose how much they want to pay for each allowance, which is equal to one metric ton of carbon emissions. The state sold more than six million allowances, totaling $300 million. The act requires that this revenue fund climate solutions, like electric vehicles, and invest in communities facing environmental justice concerns, like those overburdened by poor air quality. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Ted S. Warren)
Washington bill could help ease renewable energy development tensions
In the Pacific Northwest, conversations about renewable energy can get pretty heated. Residents often raise concerns about fragmented wildlife habitats, disturbed cultural resources, and cluttered viewsheds. But a bill winding through the Washington legislature could help ease some of those tensions. House Bill 1216 would set up a formal process for “least conflict siting” which would help identify the least controversial places to build – and avoid common issues with renewable developments. Continue reading at NWNews. (Avangrid Renewables)
Safe staffing for hospitals bill makes its way through Legislature. Does it go far enough?
A proposed Senate bill to address safe staffing in hospitals is making its way through the Washington Legislature and has now advanced to the House, where a public hearing was held Wednesday in the House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee. Attempts to pass similar legislation last year were unsuccessful, as groups such as the Washington State Hospital Association argued that safe-staffing standards set in that version of the proposed legislation were too “rigid.” That legislation would have set safe-staffing standards into state statute. Continue reading at The Bellingham Herald. (Getty Images)
Bellevue Reporter
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Bellingham Herald
Safe staffing for hospitals bill makes its way through Legislature. Does it go far enough? (Robinson)
Capital Press
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Columbian
Late 49th District legislators Jim Moeller, Jim Schaefer honored at state Capitol service (Wylie, Jinkins)
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Everett Herald
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A forecast for spending, a new maximum for campaign contributions
Editorial: Legalize fentanyl test strips, then distribute them
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Skagit Valley Herald
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Spokesman Review
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Walla Walla Union Bulletin
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Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Trafficking survivors propose bill to create first-of-its-kind services for other survivors
Those with drug arrests will get priority for cannabis retail licenses under LCB guidelines
Washington state teacher resignations at highest level in three decades
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Lawmakers consider new regulations aimed at protecting adult entertainers statewide
KNKX Public Radio
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KUOW Public Radio
Washington bill could help ease renewable energy development tensions (Fitzgibbon)
New law would make sexual misconduct by corrections staff a felony
KXLY (ABC)
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Web
Crosscut
Washington’s first carbon auction sold pollution for $300 million
La Raza del Noroeste
Están abiertas las nominaciones comunitarias para la iniciativa de Zonas de Equidad Sanitaria (Keiser)